Lionel Messi’s return to the pitch in 2026 didn’t go as deliberate, as Inter Miami suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat in opposition to Alianza Lima within the membership’s preseason opener. The outcome, nonetheless, was overshadowed by an even bigger concern: Sergio Reguilón, who suffered an harm in his first look with the group, elevating alarm inside the Herons.
Because the match acquired underway at Alejandro Villanueva Stadium, Inter Miami caught to the identical method used all through the 2025 season, controlling possession for lengthy stretches. However beneath strain, Alianza Lima ahead Gaspar Gentile introduced Reguilón down with a problem that caught the Spaniard’s knee in movement, forcing him to go to floor.
Reguilón remained on the turf following the deal with and required instant consideration from Inter Miami’s medical workers. Unable to proceed, the Spanish defender was substituted within the thirteenth minute, with Facundo Mura approaching and head coach Javier Mascherano shifting Noah Allen to the left facet of the protection.
In line with the Miami Herald’s Michelle Kaufman, Reguilón seemed to be coping with a knee harm and was scheduled to endure medical exams on Monday to find out the extent of the problem. On Tuesday, the membership confirmed that Reguilón suffered a Grade II sprain in his proper knee, including that “his timeline for returning to the sector can be decided as his restoration progresses.“
Sergio Reguilon introduced as new Inter Miami participant.
Whereas no particular timetable has been set for his return, a Grade II knee sprain usually requires between 4 and 6 weeks of restoration and normally doesn’t require surgical procedure. Beneath that situation, Reguilón is predicted to overlook the rest of Inter Miami’s preseason and will return in time for the opening matches of the MLS season.
see additionally
Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min set to conflict as LAFC and Inter Miami open 2026 MLS season at new venue
Reguilón had final appeared in a aggressive match on Might 16, 2025, logging simply 16 minutes for Tottenham Hotspur in opposition to Aston Villa earlier than his contract with the membership expired. After spending the offseason getting ready for his return, the harm represents a major setback, together with his official comeback initially anticipated to happen in February when the MLS season begins.
Who will change Reguilón at Inter Miami?
Inter Miami are set to face Atlético Nacional in Colombia on Saturday, January 31, within the second match of their preseason tour of the Americas. With no replace on Reguilón’s situation, the Spanish defender is unlikely to characteristic, forcing Mascherano to think about alternate options in his lineup.
As he did in opposition to Alianza Lima, Mascherano might once more deploy Noah Allen at left again, although Gonzalo Luján or Facundo Mura are additionally choices, albeit much less probably given their right-footed profiles. With restricted pure replacements, a change to a again three, a system Mascherano has used once in a while, stays a chance.
Through the 2025 season, when Jordi Alba was unavailable attributable to harm or suspension, Allen emerged as the first choice on the left flank, with Mascherano additionally experimenting with David Martínez and even Benjamin Cremaschi within the function. With the latter two now not on the membership, Reguilón’s harm has raised questions on whether or not left again might develop into a precedence place for Inter Miami earlier than the winter switch window closes.
